Former Nigeria’s female quarter-miler Princess Mabel Madojiemu has expressed joy for fulfilling her child-hood dreams by taking her annual U-15 athletics competition to her Community School in Igueben kingdom, Esan, Benin.
The Olympian in a chat said, “It all (Sports) started there for me as a youth and hosting the Competition there is a dream come true.”
The community school which is currently under-going major facelift with additional track and field facilities has caught the eyes of four Schools Principals who ahead of the competition praised the light-skin Princess for attracting such a huge sports motivational project home to Igueben youth.
Madojiemu also noted that it’s been long His Royal Highness Ehizogie ELuogierior 1 (JP), the Okaigun of Esan land had craved for the competition to be hosted in the community. And gladly, “His 40th Coronation anniversary aptly necessitated the homing coming of meet which the King has athlete Bib Number One”.
Expectedly, the Igueben communities according to the meet technical director Mutiu Oluwa are already in festive mood waiting for February 20-22nd, 2025 when the competition will flag off.
The competition which in the past usually attract schools within Benin City, would now have about 30 schools with 500 young talents within the present catchment area, Igueben.
Coach Oluwa reiterated that the ongoing Princess Madojiemu’s Track and Field project in the schools has eventually attracted government attention with aims to use the facility for talent hunt Trials, a development the organisers are highly considering with a provisor that government will have to assist with funds in the project, if they intend to use it.
Events for the competition include 100/200m boys and girls, 400m, long jump, Shot put, 1500m 800m, 4×100/4×400m, mix relays, etc.
Prize money, medals and trophies would be presented to deserving winners by the Monarch and other dignitaries
